The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-03
:Jndge Bond.

So much Is being written in the newspapers
eachday now ofthe usurpations of United States
Circuit Judge Bond, that it is we'll that the
record should be looked into little Just to see
exactly how the matter stands. And when
that record is looked into 1t Will appear that
Judge Bond has decided every single point of
consequence to the creditors of the State, ex-
cept one against them and in favor of the state.
1t was not until the creditors were able to re-
verse him on these points in the supreme
Court of the United States that they were able
to make any use Whatever OF thejudicial power
of the United States to enforce their rights SO
hat if the judgments and DEGREES that it is his
habit to enter now in certain coupon cases be
usurpations, they are the usurpations of the
high tribunal compelss Judge Bond 10 make.
Let us look into the record and see how the
matter stands g. $50.
In Baltimore and Ohio Railroad VS.. Allen,
Judge Bond decided that the tender of the
States coupons pays the tax. This was a vaiu-
supreme Court Of the United States afterwards
unanimously decided the same thing. it is very
evident that he made no mistake about this
and did the State no harm then. But of wi at
good was this declaration of naked right, If the
States officers paid no attention to q tender of
coupons-if they seized the tax payers proper
ty and sold it after such tender.and there was
no tribunal in which they could get redress :
In Smith VS.. Greenhow. he decided that 3
suit for treSpasS Wher2 a treasurer had levied
could not be maintained in his court unless the
tax due amounted to 500. This was the same
thing as to deny REDRESS TO every one unless he
owed $500 of taxes, and so few persons owed
that amount that his decision practically de-
| stroyed the right to pay direct taxes with cou-
| pons. The creditors appealed aud the Supreme
| Court unanimously reversed him and held that
the smallest taxpayer might sue for a trespass
in his court Amy one ean see the Wht Is mat y
| r., p. $50 So that, when he now entertainS
jurisdiction ofthese suts is not hisusurpa ton,
If usurpation it be, but the psurpation of the
supreme Court by the unanimous voice OF all
Gifts Justices.
These two decisions of the Supreme Court
made the creditors perfectly solid. SO far as Cii
rect taxes are involved but they are left help
| less in regard t, license taxes which oonstitu-
ted large part of the revenue They There
i fore took the bold ground that q man who ten
/ dered coupons for license tax was entitled to
4 go on with his business without license, If the
| States authorities refused it to him. But, or
bringing the matter before Judge Bond, he de.
cided that the party could not go on with hlt
business without Il license, even though he had
rendered coupons and demanded hls Incense 2. e.
ex parte p. L. Moore in the records OF the United
| States Circuit Court at Rich mOnd. The credi-
tors took the question 70 me supreme EN- C p
was wrong, and that the person could pursue
his business without a license after tender OF
coupons. The decision can be seen in llQ A. s
i r.. b72 Royal VS.. State of Virginia. This made
1 the creditors solid in respect to license taxes
and, together, the three decisions bound the
1 Stale hand and foot, and delivered her over tt
her creditors But although their decision pro
Il euced these disastrous results to the State, cal
Judge Bond be held responsible for theln2 Al
that he ever decided in favor of the creditors
was that they had a naked, barren right. Blu,
when they sought to make that right efhca
cious he turned his back on theIn and drove
them out of his court ai.s S
Whether, therefore, Judge Bond be popula
with our people, or whether he be not. it Is un
Just to him to hold hin responsible for th'
4 present condition OF things that exist III Vir
ginia. 1t has, been forced on him against hi
own Judgment by the Supreme Court of tn
4 United states, Ito which he, and every other Cit
izen Of the land must bow their heads.-Rtch
n,o8d Times. (Dean.) PSI